Laser-induced exfoliation of amorphous carbon layer on an individual multiwall carbon nanotube

Pulsed laser treatment of an individual multiwall carbon nanotube induced selective exfoliation of the amorphous carbon contamination layer. The multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was exposed to a 248 nm excimer laser. After the treatment, transmission electron microscopy images show that the amorphous layer has expanded and separated from the crystalline MWCNT walls. This interesting observation has implications for laser cleaning and possible thinning of MWCNTs to reduce the radial dimensions. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.